A 400-year-old Port With No Boats

Although Macau is now cruising on a new current of casinos and property development, a few enterprising residents are keeping the city’s maritime traditions afloat.

A 400-year-old port, Macau has long been closely linked with the sea. As recently as the 1950s, Macau children would have grown up knowing they would likely become fishermen or shipbuilders: both industries were riding a wave, with nearly 10,000 fishermen and more than 30 enormous shipyards dotted across the tiny territory. The coastal villages were thriving and the ocean was teeming with fish, crabs and oysters.